Local arrests stem from legally purchased marijuana
Published 6:21 pm Tuesday, May 3, 2016
Marijuana purchased legally in Colorado made its way to Beaufort County this week, resulting in the arrest of a Washington father and son.
The arrests of Dustin Shane Upton, 35, of Denver, Colorado, and Dale Roger Upton, 64, of Hudnell Street in Washington, took place on April 29, after investigators with the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office Drug Unit were told that Dustin Upton was bringing marijuana to Washington from Colorado, according to a press release from the Drug Unit.
“We got the information that he was now living in Colorado and bringing back weed,” said Lt. Russell Davenport, head of the Drug Unit.
It’s not the first time investigators have run across such a scenario, he said.
“There are people moving there just for the purpose that it’s legal in Colorado,” Davenport said.
Davenport said surveillance of traffic at the Hudnell Street residence led to a traffic stop from someone who’d visited with Dustin Upton. After a search of the vehicle turned up marijuana, investigators searched the Upton residence, the release stated.
Investigators said items seized from the house included marijuana, marijuana wax, marijuana (THC) oil, marijuana edibles, marijuana seeds, a packaged marijuana cigarette, multiple packages of marijuana, all of which were from Colorado, as well as items used to manufacture marijuana wax.
“We’re trying to show the public it’s not just the green stuff that you smoke — you’ve got oil, you’ve got wax. They’re baking it into food,” Davenport said.
Regardless of whether marijuana and its derivatives can be purchased legally in Colorado, they remain illegal in North Carolina.
“Until it’s legal (here), we will enforce the law,” Davenport said.
Dustin Upton was charged with possession of marijuana, possession of a schedule VI controlled substance, manufacturing a schedule VI controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia, while Dale Upton was charged with possession of marijuana, maintaining a dwelling to use a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Dustin Upton was confined in the Beaufort County Detention Center under a $2,500 secured bond. Dale Upton was released under a $500 unsecured bond.